While I felt tortured a bit by the fact that my own menopause is in the future (about 25 years but, still, it will happen), I have a lot of good to say about this book.

The pacing between reflection and gory horror is so, so well done. I think a lot of authors struggle with finding a balance, and Mary makes it seem effortless. It progresses the plot at a much quicker pace than I had expected based on past reads.

Horror and gore are here in spades. Like. Pure splatterpunk. I’d be curious to know what books the author would say influenced him. The authors note at the end said he had been working on this novel since he was 13 years old, and it shows.

The way Cassidy used the senses in her writing is so smart. It focuses predominantly on the visuals, and involves the rest as necessary. Some books feel like they’re trying too hard to incorporate smells and onomatopoeias and touch.. Cassidy  used scents, for example, that are common and easily identified instead of obscure and esoteric odours.

What stops me from giving this book 5 stars is that the plot doesn’t really appeal to me. I couldn’t relate to any characters with my own experience; so it was hard for me to root for anyone, but the prose is so gorgeous I couldn’t put it down.

If you like this, highly recommend Nightbitch, which is a completely different book, but still delves into the disgusting side of the female experience and resulting feminine rage.